Chapter Summaries

Yu Chengguang and the other visitors from another realm arrived during the black flood dragon’s tribulation, and Yu Chengguang effortlessly killed it before it could reach the Dragon Gate. The group then surveyed the lower realm and, seven days later, descended to meet people waiting in a valley.

• A golden Dragon Gate appeared as the black flood dragon’s heavenly tribulation ended, while strange figures emerged through heavenly light.
• The black flood dragon rushed toward the Dragon Gate despite sensing danger, and Yu Chengguang identified its foul cultivation aura.
• Yu Chengguang spoke, and the black flood dragon and its dark clouds vanished instantly.
• The newcomers discussed their arrival and mission, noting that the muddled heavenly secrets would keep the lower realm from suppressing them for now.
• Seven days later, the group descended into a valley where an excited gathering was waiting for them.

The arrival of immortals transformed the land, and the Heavenly Merchant Dynasty’s forces gathered under their overwhelming power. In the north, a Demon-Slaying Bureau chief reflected on how an immortal’s sword had killed the Poison Crocodile and wondered what the latest change in heaven and earth would bring.

• The observers learned that the black flood dragon had succeeded in its tribulation but was killed by the arriving immortals before it could become a supreme demon.
• The Heavenly Merchant Dynasty recognized the gulf between itself and the immortals, while demons and Martial Dao Celestials joined the immortals’ army.
• A plainly dressed chief of the Demon-Slaying Bureau watched a multicolored cloud from the northern river, where the Poison Crocodile had once been sealed.
• The chief recalled that an immortal had killed the Poison Crocodile with a single sword strike three days earlier.
• The chief sensed that the immortals’ cultivation differed from both Martial Dao and this world’s aura, and wondered what the latest change in heaven and earth would bring.

Yu Chengguang and the others investigated the black mist around the Heavenly Lake and discovered a powerful demonic presence beneath it. Chen Bao recognized that their mission was nearly complete and reflected on the immortals’ strength and the new path to cultivation, while wondering whether his old friends could accept it.

• Yu Chengguang and the others learned that the black qi was spreading from the Heavenly Lake, the place they had been seeking.
• Yu Chengguang used a divine ability and a formation to inspect the lake without entering it.
• The lake churned, and Yu Chengguang saw what was hidden below as his treasure sent out clear light that dispersed the black mist and awakened the watching martial artists.
• Chen Bao realized the Heavenly Lake held the thing the immortals sought and felt relieved that the task was nearly complete.
• Chen Bao reflected on the Moonlight Dew’s effect, his choice to submit, and whether his old friends could understand the new road to cultivation.

A surge of demonic qi in the lower-realm world was blocked by Commander Zhi’s clear-light treasure, and Yu Chengguang reported that it was linked to the Six Paths Devil Master and the demonic calamity three thousand years earlier. Lu Qing traced the disrupted heavenly trend and divined the past, uncovering a glimpse of hidden heavenly secrets.

• Chen Bao and the other cultivators looked toward the Heavenly Pool and considered what it could mean for their cultivation.
• A mountain range erupted, releasing pure demonic qi that Commander Zhi’s watery clear light contained and gradually wore away.
• Yu Chengguang sent a spiritual letter to Lu Qing, warning that the demonic qi was connected to the Six Paths Devil Master’s attempt to restore the Demon Sect three thousand years earlier.
• Lu Qing saw that the northwest trend on the Heavenly Net Chessboard had been severed and dispersed after Yu Chengguang and the others entered the spatial rift.
• Lu Qing used a divination mirror to trace the heavenly secrets back to the past and glimpsed a patch of green grass.

Lu Qing discovered that the spatial rift and demonic calamity involved the remnant body of the Six Paths Devil Master, prompting him to notify the Profound Heaven Dao Sect. The sect assigned Yu Youshu to handle the matter while the West Sea’s drifting world drew closer to true history and stirred the Human Path’s destiny.

• Lu Qing learned that the calamity and spatial rift were connected to the Six Paths Devil Master’s remnant body and notified his sect.
• The Profound Heaven Dao Sect’s leaders discussed the remnant as a dangerous variable and decided Yu Youshu would handle it while Li Luoyang remained in seclusion.
• Yu Youshu agreed to take responsibility for the matter concerning Six Paths.
• In the West Sea, a drifting world drew closer to true history, and its destiny stirred the Human Path’s destiny.
• The ancient Divine Lord Lihuo’s scroll showed changes beginning within the divine mountain.

Lu Qing observed the workings of fate within the painting-scroll simulation and continued aiding people blessed by fortune to study how heavenly secrets changed. After intervening in the fates of nine people, he waited in the bookshop as the simulation continued.

• Lu Qing considered how people of fortune and hidden chess players influenced the heavenly secrets, and he used the simulation to investigate the Great Dao Heavenly Heart.
• A young man in brocade returned to Tao City with his old servant but could no longer find Lu Qing’s bookstore.
• Lu Qing noticed a dispirited scholar whose fortune was threatened by a calamity caused by a cultivator from beyond the heavens, and the shopkeeper gave him a booklet.
• Lu Qing recorded the scholar as the ninth person whose fate he had stirred, then reflected that the world contained a Little Li Heaven beneath a Mortal World Heaven.
• More visitors entered the bookshop to browse books and ask about buying a brush and an album.

Thirty years passed as Spiritual Vitality revived and Tao City filled with Cultivators and rising prodigies. Lu Qing’s incarnation, living as a young scholar in a mountain cottage, sensed that many fellow Daoists from Beyond the Heavens had entered the Reincarnation Scroll and that Little Li Heaven concealed a greater secret.

• Thirty years passed, and streams of Cultivators and flying lights became common as new Heavenly Prodigies rose across the world.
• A book boy brought the young scholar a Spirit Script listing a Dragon-Tiger Ranking, which included the scholar among its prominent names.
• The young scholar examined a chessboard and concluded that providence was in chaos and many fellow Daoists had entered this world.
• The young scholar judged that Little Li Heaven hid another secret and chose not to leave for its upper realm.
• Another cultivator received a Spirit Script declaring that Little Li Heaven concealed a secret and that contenders were gathering in a great struggle.

Huang Wuxuan recounted his discoveries in Heaven of Universe to the Mysterious Stone Tablet, which identified a Dao-Proving Stone left by the Divine Lord. The tablet began to reveal a face with its eyes shut as Huang Wuxuan wondered about the stone’s significance.

• Huang Wuxuan reflected on escaping his pursuers and coming to Heaven of Universe, where he had found time to evade heavenly calculations and cultivate.
• The Mysterious Stone Tablet explained that the place’s power to draw in true spirits and reincarnation would make it slumber often.
• Huang Wuxuan told the tablet what he had discovered, and the tablet praised his intuition.
• The Mysterious Stone Tablet said that the world contained a Dao-Proving Stone, but that the foundation had been left by the Divine Lord and was useless to Huang Wuxuan.
• A face with its eyes tightly shut slowly appeared on the tablet while Huang Wuxuan focused on the Dao-Proving Stone.

The Stone Tablet sensed an aura of Dao attainment and decided it had no need to hurry, while Lu Qing studied the destinies and providence of nine People of Heavenly Mandate. His observations led him to consider how fluctuating fate might deepen his cultivation of destiny, and he left the path ahead uncertain but apparently without a Dao Lord.

• The Stone Tablet recognized an unexpected aura of Dao attainment, then withdrew and reflected that the Human Path was easy to influence.
• Lu Qing observed how cultivation was changing Tao City and examined a spirit cat that returned to the cover of an illustrated book.
• Lu Qing opened the book of nine People of Heavenly Mandate and considered how their providence connected to the Dao of Unity and the Humanity Human Emperor.
• Lu Qing reviewed Cui Zhen’s stolen Great Sun destiny pattern and unusual immortal physique, noting that his providence had changed greatly.
• Lu Qing examined the nine people’s destinies and karmic ties, then realized that creating variables could give him new insights into the cultivation of destiny.
• Lu Qing sensed no cultivator ahead on his path and reflected that different Great Daos and the laws of heaven and earth shaped the roads to Dao Lordhood.

Lu Qing studied reincarnation and fate while observing how the nine people’s destinies changed, hoping to deepen his understanding of the Great Dao Heavenly Heart. As peach blossoms bloomed and Tao City changed over the years, he continued watching the upheaval unfold.

• Lu Qing concealed his traces and continued studying reincarnation, fate, and the painted scroll’s connection to a Divine Lord’s Dao treasure.
• He considered using the rewards from the shifting words of fate to support his cultivation and prepare for his true body’s future tribulation and breakthrough.
• Lu Qing examined the nine people, recognizing them as former people of Heaven’s Mandate whose destinies had likely been changed by outsiders blessed with great fortune.
• Lu Qing chose to trust the original people of Heaven’s Mandate more than the Nine Heavens cultivators as he sought to uncover the Great Dao Heavenly Heart.
• Years passed as peach blossoms returned to Tao City and its streets changed, before turmoil once again shook heaven and earth.

Lu Qing examined how the reincarnation simulation could erase memories and gathered the rewards from nine people into the scroll. In the Cui Family, Cui Qi learned that Cui Zhen had fled to the Sheng Family, while Young Master Zhu listened from afar and continued manipulating the reincarnation variables for rewards.

• Lu Qing observed that repeated reincarnations could cleanse a true spirit's memories and collected the spiritual rewards recorded beside nine names.
• Cui Qi left the Marrow-Washing Spring and learned that Cui Zhen was staying with the Sheng Family.
• Cui Family descendants discussed how Cui Zhen had survived and suspected his fortune was changing, making them potential stepping stones.
• The descendants recalled that Cui Zhen's former fiancée had become an immortal's disciple, though they doubted she would oppose Young Master Zhu for his sake.
• Young Master Zhu overheard their discussion and considered how changing more reincarnation variables could earn rewards suited to his cultivation.

Young Master Zhu suspected Cui Zhen’s unusual fortune was worth pursuing and noticed other cultivators had begun to covet it. At the Sheng Family, Ming Yunzi appeared to attack a disciple as thunder shook the sky.

• Young Master Zhu considered the fortune of Cui Zhen and Little Li Heaven, deciding that Cui Zhen’s fortune could not be allowed to slip away.
• Young Master Zhu sensed that other cultivators had taken an interest in Cui Zhen and stirred the sea of clouds with his anger.
• A young cultivator saw blood-red light over the Sheng Family and wondered what Cui Zhen possessed that drew powerful figures to him.
• The young cultivator suspected Cui Zhen’s fortune was the object of the pursuit, while other cultivators also considered its value.
• Thunder erupted over the Sheng Family, and a furious voice accused Ming Yunzi of laying hands on his disciple as the family’s disciples trembled.

True Person Miaohong and Ming Yunzi ended their clash and agreed to cooperate over the unusual Providence in Little Li Heaven. As they left the Sheng Family, Ming Yunzi sensed that something was wrong with the sky above.

• True Person Miaohong and Ming Yunzi confronted each other with immense Dao Rhyme and energy that shattered nearby mountains, while the Sheng Family's formation shielded those below.
• Ming Yunzi persuaded True Person Miaohong to stop fighting by pointing out that her disciple was safe, then revealed his Golden Feather Sect origins and identified her as belonging to the Black Sun Demon Sect.
• True Person Miaohong and Ming Yunzi agreed to discuss the Providence connected to Cui Zhen, and she revealed that others also possessed unusual Providence.
• After the two cultivators departed, other outsiders turned their attention toward the Sheng Family and wondered what was special about Cui Zhen and his lineage.
• Ming Yunzi considered how Little Li Heaven had grown increasingly mysterious since Spiritual Vitality revived, sensed something wrong with the sky, and felt a vast dread sweep through Spiritual Heart.

Lu Qing considered the Great Dao Heavenly Heart and realized it offered a new path to proving the Dao, seemingly favoring those with extraordinary fortune who had not yet established their own Great Dao. As time passed and Little Li Heaven’s spiritual currents changed, a heaven beyond heaven arrived, appearing much like Little Li Heaven to its cultivators.

• Ming Yunzi saw the golden feather shatter, stopped probing his forgotten thoughts, and deduced the outcome of his cooperation with Miao Hong True Person.
• Lu Qing observed the Great Dao Heavenly Heart stirring and studied the names illuminated in his book.
• Lu Qing concluded that the Great Dao Heavenly Heart represented a distinct path to proving the Dao that depended on fortune rather than cultivation level.
• Lu Qing reasoned that cultivators who had already established their own Great Dao were unlikely to be favored unless they abandoned their path.
• Time passed, spiritual currents changed, and a heaven beyond heaven arrived before Little Li Heaven's cultivators.

A thousand years after spiritual vitality revived, the Great Dao Heavenly Heart appeared and stirred powerful cultivators and ancient beings across the world. Lu Qing considered its connection to the Ancient Heavenly Court, then observed a simulation in which Young Master Zhu faced True Person Miaohong and an ally.

• Nine Heavenly Prodigies sensed an unprecedented energy flow in the sky as the three great powers stood in balance.
• Lu Qing watched the Great Dao Heavenly Heart manifest and noted that Cui Zhen and others had forged their own paths.
• Veteran cultivators and ancient beings recognized the manifestation as a legendary treasure for attaining the Dao tied to the Ancient Heavenly Court.
• Lu Qing used the upheaval to test his ideas about the Great Dao Heavenly Heart and the Ancient Heavenly Court's fate.
• In a simulation, Young Master Zhu confronted True Person Miaohong and her ally, recognizing their methods as those of the Black Sun Sect.

Cui Zhen’s intervention ended Young Master Zhu’s attempt to fight his way out, leaving Ming Yunzi and True Person Miao Hong wary of the ancient figure they had provoked. Back in his bookshop, Lu Qing watched Cui Zhen’s entry settle and saw the name Cui Ziyu emerge beside it.

• Young Master Zhu prepared to unleash his power against Ming Yunzi and True Person Miao Hong, but the two were stopped when they faced Cui Zhen.
• Cui Zhen’s presence washed away the traces of the battle, and Ming Yunzi nervously asked where he wanted to go next.
• Cui Zhen asked where Ying Yun was, while Ming Yunzi and True Person Miao Hong regretted seeking the Divine Lord’s inheritance.
• In his bookshop, Lu Qing examined the magical volume and saw Cui Zhen’s unstable name settle into place.
• Lu Qing brushed the page, causing the name Cui Ziyu to appear beside Cui Zhen’s.

Lu Qing examined Cui Ziyu’s life record and recognized him as a variable tied to the possible return of ancient immortals. He concealed his fate as powerful beings and old monsters converged on Little Li Heaven, while a young scholar feared the treasure’s opportunity would ignite conflict among its powers.

• Lu Qing read Cui Ziyu’s record and learned that an ancient immortal had passed down the Merit-Based Immortalization Method and that Cui Ziyu later recovered a wisp of divine sense.
• Lu Qing suspected that Cui Zhen’s overlapping fate was a piece planted by the Divine Lord and considered how reincarnation might eventually let him alter life, death, and fate.
• Lu Qing wrote spiritual script in the book, concealing his fate so that observers would see him as an ordinary bookstore proprietor.
• Lu Qing sensed powerful beings and hidden old monsters directing their gazes toward Little Li Heaven, drawn by the prospect of a Dao-proving treasure and Longevity.
• A young scholar and his bookboy watched the surging fortune around Little Li Heaven, and the scholar worried that Dragon Court, Dao Sect, and Divine Dynasty would fight outsiders over the opportunity.

The young scholar provoked the Dao Sect, Divine Dynasty, and Dragon Court over their attempt to seize an opportunity, then discovered a blank booklet tied to Tong Zhenming’s rise. The booklet began revealing a Great Dao Divine Ability that could alter Destiny.

• The young scholar summoned a white-light spirit bird and sent it away with a message to stir up a public commotion.
• The Boy brought scrolls, and the young scholar recognized one as a booklet presented by Tong Zhenming three hundred years earlier.
• The young scholar recalled rumors that Tong Zhenming’s Destiny Pattern had changed after he obtained the booklet Planting Pears.
• He called the Boy back and opened the booklet, finding it blank before Spirit Script began appearing on its pages.
• The booklet revealed that Destiny could be altered through a Great Dao Divine Ability.

Lu Qing realized that altering fate required bearing a price and considered how the Great Dao Heavenly Heart had drawn powerful figures’ attention. As Heaven of Universe merged with the present world, the painted scroll’s divine mountain gained spirit and became a living being.

• Lu Qing read that changing fate required bearing its price and suspected that powerful figures had plotted behind Tong Zhenming’s fate.
• Lu Qing reasoned that the Great Dao Heavenly Heart had drawn the attention of old monsters watching from beyond the heavens.
• Cultivators, including Luo Ri and his followers, sensed strange phenomena and guessed that outsiders connected to the immortal masters had come for heavenly will.
• The Great Dao Heavenly Heart was recognized as a possible path to attaining the Dao and extending powerful cultivators’ lifespans.
• As Heaven of Universe joined with the present world, the divine mountain within the painted scroll overlapped with its counterpart and gained form, spirit, and intent.

As Cui Zhen stood to receive the Heavenly Mandate, powerful cultivators gathered and Lu Qing sensed that the Great Dao Heavenly Heart was tied to the Ancient Nine Nether. An ancient opponent exposed that Cui Zhen was a strand of Divine Sense inhabiting another body and vowed to prevent him from claiming the Heavenly Mandate.

• Cui Zhen emerged as the unexpected bearer of the Heavenly Mandate while Lu Qing and other cultivators watched.
• An abyssal sea manifestation and Azure Thunder Mountain Lord arrived as observers warned that hidden forces were moving against the descent of the Heavenly Mandate.
• Lu Qing recognized the Great Dao Heavenly Heart’s aura as belonging to the Primordial Era’s Ancient Nine Nether and connected it to Reincarnation.
• An ancient cultivator accused Cui Zhen of being a strand of Divine Sense that had borrowed a corpse and declared that the Great Dao Heavenly Heart could not fall into his hands.
• Distant figures altered two or three shining pieces on a chessboard, and their radiance faded.